abroad

adverb or adjective

ə-ˈbrȯd 

1

: beyond the boundaries of one's country : in or to a foreign country

traveling abroad

hopes to study abroad next year

both at home and abroad

a family that came here from abroad [=from a foreign country] several years ago

2

: over a wide area : widely

wolves venturing abroad in increasing numbers

3

old-fashioned : away from one's home

doesn't go walking abroad at night

4

formal : in wide circulation : about

There are rumors abroad that the company is in trouble.

5

: wide of the mark : astray

Examples of abroad in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Immigration carried particular weight in a heavily Hispanic district where, according to census figures, more than 70% of residents in both Doral and Hialeah were born abroad. — Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 3 Nov. 2026

Many of its students will also come from abroad, as Orthodox Jews make regular pilgrimages to study the Chofetz Chaim’s teachings and visit his gravesite. — Shira Li Bartov, Sun Sentinel, 3 Nov. 2026

There is growing industry buzz that the French dermocosmetics brand, which has taken off both at home and abroad, could be sold as early as year-end. — Jennifer Weil, Footwear News, 3 Nov. 2026

Like Bass, Raman also went abroad after college, but in her case the destination was Delhi. — Los Angeles Times, 2 Nov. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English abrod, abrood, from a- a- entry 1 + brod, brood broad entry 1

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for abroad

• applaud
• backboard
• ballade
• defraud
• ephod
• facade
• guffawed
• outlawed
• ramrod
• roughshod
• slipshod
• tripod

Kids Definition

abroad

adverb or adjective

ə-ˈbrȯd 

1

: over a wide area

2

: away from one's home

doesn't go abroad at night

3

: in or to foreign countries

travel abroad

4

formal : in wide circulation

rumors were abroad